Travelling Steady

Hi everyone, Just wondering what is your own preferred way of using the travelling steady to turn smaller diameter shafts. I'm turning a 12.5 mm aluminium rod to 12 mm x 80 mm. I support the end with a revolving center and the travelling steady. I placed my cutting tool just after the travelling steady so that when turning I would avoid the brass fingers damaging the work. Its a hit and miss as the tool sometimes digs in and damaging the work. I see others on youtube putting the cutting tool ahead of the travelling steady thereby supporting the desired diameter size but they are turning steel which is not affected by the softer brass fingers. If I do this with aluminium would the fingers damaged the turned area? I did not attempt this method so far, I would like your opinion first. Thanks! Sorry for this questions, I know I should do research first but I guess the knowledge here is worth it.

I'm a bit surprised you bother with a travelling steady - I've used one maybe half-a-dozen times in 40+ years, and only for turning lengths of about 10 diameters or more.

Your total depth of cut only needs to be 0,25mm or about 10 thou, and you've only a length of 6 or 7 diameters to turn. 3-jaw chuck plus tailstock running centre should do fine. I'd probably do 2 passes of about 0,2 and 0,05mm, but that's only if the 12mm diameter has a tight tolerance.

You can make soft tips for softer materials, try Nylon or Delrin tips.

Don't forget to lubricate the tips

Roy

The tool may be blunt or building up aluminium on the tip, make sure it is sharp and use cutting fluid.

Neil

Cutting fluid/ kerosene/ parafin, or WD 40.

Ian S C